Funeral arrangements for fallen Captain Vernon Collett have been scheduled for Friday, March 14, 2025. The visitation and funeral will both take place at Heartland Church, located at 777 NE 23 Highway, Knob Noster, MO 65336, and both are open to the public. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM, followed by the funeral at 11:00 AM.
Captain Collett will receive full fire service honors during the funeral at Heartland Church.
The escort will depart from Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home in Warrensburg at 9:00 AM on Friday, March 14, 2025. The procession will exit the funeral home onto N. Maguire Street (Business 13 Highway) and travel north through Warrensburg. As the escort proceeds, it will pass beneath a large American flag displayed over N. Maguire Street and E. Cooper Boulevard (weather permitting), supported by ladder trucks from the Warrensburg Fire Department and Clinton Fire Department.
Continuing north on Missouri 13 Highway, the escort will turn east onto Missouri Route E, passing Johnson County Fire Protection District Station 6, where Captain Collett served. The procession will then arrive at Heartland Church, located at 777 NE 23 Highway, Knob Noster, MO 65336.
The public is encouraged to show support by lining the route in areas safe to do so. A recommended location in Warrensburg is the open area north of Cooper Boulevard, where ample parking is available. Those attending the visitation and funeral are encouraged to arrive before the escort due to roadway and parking limitations at the church.
Following the funeral, a private graveside service will be held at Mt. Zion Cemetery in Dunksburg for family, friends, members of the District, and the Johnson County Road and Bridge Department. This portion of the service is not open to the public.
Monetary contributions to support the Collett family can be made payable to the District and delivered to District Headquarters at 122 W. Young Avenue, Warrensburg, MO 64093.
Memorial contributions in honor of Captain Collett may be made to the Ronald McDonald House and left in care of Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home, 617 N. Maguire Street, Warrensburg, MO 64093.
Emergency service organizations are invited to participate in the escort and services. Agencies planning to take part are asked to register their vehicles in advance to assist with parking arrangements. Registration can be completed at this link: https://bit.ly/3Jt4Dgu. Emergency vehicle staging information will be emailed to all registering agencies.
Honor Guard members available to participate should contact Honor Guard Coordinator Robert Reynolds at 816-935-2885 or rmreynolds@cjcfpd.org.
Pipes and Drums members available to participate should contact Pipes and Drums Coordinator Ken Hines at 573-673-3634 or khinesa27@aol.com.